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Prospect of the Week: May 1, 2013

We continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Prospect of the Week for April 25 is … Tyler Johnson, C, Syracuse (AHL – USA).

Him again?

Him again.

Two weeks ago Tyler Johnson won the AHL Most Valuable Player award and subsequently our Prospect of the Week honor. We tried to keep him off the medal stand this week but he wouldn’t let us.

Johnson followed up his hat trick and four points two weeks ago with five points in two playoff games. He was second star in Friday’s 4-3 overtime win over Portland, then first star in the Crunch’s 4-2 win on Saturday. He and teammate Ondrej Palat – runner up for this week’s award – are among five players tied for the AHL’s playoff scoring lead after two games with five points.

The Spokane, Washington, native had a goal and two assists on Friday, including Syracuse’s first playoff goal this season and a secondary assist on Richard Panik’s overtime winner. On Saturday, he scored a key shorthanded goal and added a helper.

Johnson has scored in all five games since he was returned to Syracuse from NHL Tampa Bay. He projects as a two-way center at the NHL level and could have a permanent spot with the Lightning as soon as next season depending on how the roster shakes out this summer.

Wherever and whenever he plays, Johnson has proved he’s good at the hockey.

(Syracuse.com photo)

Honorable Mention: Palat had three assists in Syracuse’s playoff opener and added a goal and an assist on Saturday.